Innovation That Sticks - Real Examples from Real Schools

INNOVATION THAT STICKSReal Examples From Real Schools

May 2, 2014

CHRIS KENNEDYSuperintendent of Schools, West Vancouver School District

2014 Networks of Inquiry and Innovation Symposium

#NOII2014

Stories of Change: Pictures of Possibility

ALL ABOUT CULTURE

“Culture Eats Strategyfor Breakfast”

A Culture of Innovation

A Culture of Yes

More than just trying

stuff –disciplined

inquiry

Feeling permission takes time

Focus on a Few Things

Inquiry

• No one “model”

• It is more than just asking questions

Self-Regulation

• Start to focus at the younger grades

• Looking across domains

Digital Access

• Start with teachers

• Modernize classrooms

• Embrace BYOD in the context of equity

Common secondary timetable

• One District Campus

• Joint Ownership of students and learning

School Wide Signatures

• Every school needs an elevator pitch

• They don’t need to be the same but need to be part of a coherent network

STRUCTURES

ALIGNING RESOURCESLearning Teams

Dedicated $100,000 for teams to use –micro-budgeting

Meet inside and outside the school day

Work with a mentor

Ends with a celebration

ALIGNING RESOURCES

“So if you ever wondered if the innovation grants were making a difference – just take a look at what’s going on here! There is a massive shift in teaching and learning”

Elementary School Principal

DISCUSSION

What are the structures in your school and district that are promoting a culture of innovation?

NEW ROLE FOR PARENTS

Parents are part of the process not just observers of the polished product

INNOVATION IN ACTION

Letter grade free

assessment

Maker movement

iPads in elementary music class

Reggio Emilia inspired

programs

Bienalle arts projects across

schools

Passion projects

Heart rate monitors in

PE

What is something that is “sticking” in your school and / or district that didn’t exist 3 years ago?

DISCUSSION

What Does Support Look Like?CELEBRATE RISK TAKING

SHINE A LIGHT ON INNOVATION

MATTERS

WHERE LEADERS SPEND THEIR TIME MATTERS

Teachers

Schools

Districts

Governments

• Will make it easier for students...

• Will make it easier for teachers...

• Will make it easier for schools...

• Will make it easier for districts...

To be FLEXIBLE

Yeah, but . . .

? How do you scale the work

YOU DON’T

YOU CONNECT AND BUILD NETWORKSThink diffusion not replication

Where you can find me:

ckennedy@sd45.bc.ca

604-202-4379

@chrkennedy

Chris Kennedy

cultureofyes.ca

www.sd45.bc.ca